Any suggestions on taking an 8 month old on a 2 hour plane trip?

Question

Any suggestions on taking an 8 month old on a 2 hour plane trip?

Answer 1

This link may help you.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

Answer 2

You can take him as a lap child (no charge and no additional baggage allowance) or buy him a seat.  Many airlines (particularly domestic) no longer provide a child or infant fare, fyi.  Even if you're taking him as a lap child, you will need to inform the airline and get an infant boarding pass so the airline knows how many passengers (pax) are on board.  TSA also requires a BP for every passenger, including lap children.

Note that you are allowed to use a carseat on board, but only if 1) you bought your child a seat or 2) there happens to be an empty seat next to you (don't count on it) allowing you to put the seat in the window seat.  

Take enough food, toys, books, etc to keep him entertained.  It's a relatively short flight, but we all know that infants don't particularly care about that sort of thing.  Also take enough diapers, change of clothes, etc.  Speaking of diapers, we always take a few plastic grocery or produce bags with us in case our infant poops on the plane or our (mostly potty trained) 2 year old has an accident - great at sealing in the smells.  Also, unless you're on a widebody (ie, 2 aisles) aircraft or some Airbuses, there probably won't be a diaper changing station in the lavatories, so you'd be stuck doing it in the seat.

As mentioned, air pressure change can hurt baby's ears.  It's a good idea to have him sucking on something (bottle, paci, even breast) during takeoff and landings if he's awake.  Some suggest giving the kid a small dose of Benadryl so s/he falls asleep, others are opposed to this practice on the basis of unnecessarily medicating the child.  Talk to your pediatrician if this is a concern for you.  If you do decide to do this, test it a day or two prior to the trip, as it has the opposite effect on some kids (ie, they get hyper).  

If he's fussy, it may help to walk him up and down the aisle of the plane, but please do be mindful of other pax and FA's (especially if they're doing drink service or collecting trash) if you do this.  

Note that, per TSA regs, you are allowed to take baby formula, food, breast milk, even nursery water on board.  Don't let an ill-informed TSO tell you otherwise.  It may even be handy to print out the page from TSA's website (below).

Strollers can be taken through security and gate checked.  If you have a small umbrella stroller, you may be able to take it on board.  Unless you bought a seat for your kid, though, you're better of checking the carseat or renting/borrowing/buying one at your destination.

More flying with kids tips at flyingwithkids.com (below).

Good luck!  It doesn't have to an ordeal.

EDIT: Regarding changing tables, they are primarily only available on widebody aircraft or narrowbody Airbuses on US flag carriers.  I was responding based on the assumption that the "2 hour plane trip" would be within the US on a US flag carrier.  I can't speak for non-US carriers, so Neil may certainly be correct in his statement with regard to changing tables as it pertains to those carriers.  I've added a link to Seatguru below, as it contains great info on "best" seat locations, layouts, and amenities (including changing tables/bassinets).

Answer 3

Andrew P gave good information. I'll add some notes.

Most aircraft flown by major airlines DO in fact have changing tables, just not necessarily in every lav. Check with your airline in advance, or ask FA when you board.

Lap children are indeed free on DOMESTIC flights in USA, but not on overseas flights where generally you pare 10% of adult fare for lap children. You may also want to inquire whether bassinets are available on your flights.

People often suggest getting bulkhead seats for traveling with little ones. (You must if you are getting a bassinet.) But consider the downside: EVERYTHING must be put overhead for takeoff and landing, and who knows when the seatbelt light will go off...

Nurse or give bottle during takeoff and landing - swallowing helps equalize pressure in the ears.

If you are traveling alone with the baby, don't hesitate to ask for help from FA and/or other passengers in stowing gear, warming bottle, whatever. Just as there will be at least one passenger who hates you for bringing a baby on board, there will be at least one who misses theirs and would love to look into the eyes of yours. And most flight attendants would rather be dealing with you and your child than with grumpy "adult" drunks.

Most of all, don't worry! It will never again be so easy to travel with your child. (Well, at least not for 21 years or so...)

Answer 4

the elevation of the cabin pressure might hurt the baby's ears so you might want to talk to a pediatrician just to get there opinion